Machining center

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a machining center, wherein at least one work spindle with a preferably horizontal spindle position can be displaced preferably in the direction of X, Y and Z and each work spindle is allocated at least one substantially circular tool store which can rotate around a central axis and which is provided with storage locations so that the working spindle(s) can deposit one or several tools. The invention is characterized in that a) the tool store ( 2 ) comprises one or several tool disk(s) ( 3 ) which are arranged parallel to each other and grouped together in a drum store, wherein b) the tool disk(s) can be individually or jointly rotated around a central axis ( 4 ) which is perpendicular to the spindle axis and c) the tools ( 5 ) can be inserted with their tips ( 6 ) forward into tool holders ( 7 ) in the tool store ( 2 ) which are arranged in a tangential to radical direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a machining center, wherein at leastone working spindle with a preferably horizontal spindle position isdisplaceable preferably in the X, Y and Z directions and at least oneessentially circular tool magazine rotatable around a central axis withstorage places for depositing the tool or tools by the workingspindle(s) is associated with each working spindle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Twin-spindle CNC machining centers (see, e.g., prospectus: Hüller Hille,nb-twin) with automatic tool changer, in which one or two tool magazinedisks rotatable around a central horizontal axis are arranged on theside next to the working spindles, belong to the state of the art. Theaxis of rotation of these tool magazine disks is arranged in parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the working spindles (spindle axis). Recessesfor receiving the tools, whose longitudinal axes likewise extend inparallel to the axis of rotation of the tool magazine disks and of theworking spindle, are arranged at the outer circumference of the toolmagazine disks. These prior-art tool magazine disks require a relativelylarge space and can receive only a limited number of tools.

A machine tool with a plurality of spindles for the simultaneous ordifferent, separate machining of a plurality of works, in which at leasttwo spindles that can be driven around their axes of rotation aredisplaceable at least in their longitudinal axis (direction C) and in adirection at right angles thereto (direction X), has been known from DE195 14 058 A1. A common multiple turret, which is tipped with toolsassociated with both tool spindles, is associated with the verticallyarranged spindles. The tool turret comprises an essentially circulardisk, on the circumference of which the tools are arranged with theirtips to the outside. The tool turret is rotatable around an axis that isslightly tilted in relation to the horizontal direction. Only relativelyfew tools can be arranged on the tool turret in this case as well.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a machiningcenter of this type, which has a tool magazine with high storage densityor with a considerably larger number of tools, wherein the tools can bedeposited in a simple manner directly from the working spindle.

According to the invention, a machining center is provided wherein atleast one working spindle with preferably horizontal spindle position isdisplaceable preferably in the X, Y and Z. At least one essentiallycircular tool magazine, which is rotatable around a central axis, isprovided with storage places for depositing the tool or tools by theworking spindle(s) and is associated with each working spindle. The toolmagazine includes a tool disk or a plurality of tool disks, which arearranged in parallel to one another and are integrated in one drummagazine. The tool disk(s) is/are rotatable individually or togetheraround a central axis arranged at right angles to the spindle axis. Thetools with the tool tip can be pushed forward from the outside to theinside into the tool holders of the tool magazine. The central axes ofthe tool holders extend past the central axis of rotation of the saidtool magazine.

The tool magazine according to the present invention comprises, e.g., inthe case of horizontal spindle position, a plurality of tool disksarranged one on top of another with a common vertical axis of rotationand tool holders arranged on the circumference of the individual tooldisks. The tool magazine, designed as a so-called drum magazine, isarranged in the vicinity of the working spindles such that the tools canbe pushed into the tool holders and can be removed from these toolholders radially or in an essentially radially inwardly directed mannerfrom the outside possibly only by displacing the working spindles. Bysimply rotating the drum magazine around the vertical axis, all the toolholders arranged on the circumference of a tool disk can be madeaccessible to the tip of the working spindle. In the case of, e.g., aplurality of working spindles arranged one on top of another, these canmove simultaneously to the tool holders of two or more tool disksarranged one on top of another. Since the tool tips usually have asmaller diameter than the holders for the tools, considerably more toolscan be accommodated on one tool disk, and the space can be utilizedoptimally.

In addition, a practically unlimited number of tool disks maybe arrangedone on top of another.

Moreover, it has been found to be favorable to additionally arrange workholders for receiving works on the tool disk or on the tool magazine aswell, wherein both the tool holders and the work holders can be broughtby rotating the tool magazine into such a position that they aredirectly accessible from the tip of the working spindle. To achievethis, one or more tool magazines and optionally also one or more deviceswith work holders are arranged on a swinging or rotating device or on anNC turntable. A plurality of magazines for tools and/or works may beadvantageously arranged on one turntable, one magazine being accessiblefor the working spindles, and, e.g., another magazine being in aposition for loading and unloading the tools and/or works. Work holdersand tool holders may also be interchanged with one another in theirpositions, preferably on one tool disk.

Furthermore, the tool magazines may also be picked up and/or movedaccording to the present invention by a pallet swinging device for thetools or by a separate NC turntable with or without a pallet swingingdevice.

To increase the security against fracture, it has proved to be favorableto arrange predetermined breaking points on the tool and work holders toprotect the entire tool disk or even the drum magazine from damage inthe case of possible errors in operation or other malfunctions.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a tool magazine according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an alternative to FIG. 1, in which works 12 are additionallyshown on work holders 11;

FIG. 4 is a top view of two tool magazines, which are rotatable on aswinging or rotating device 9 around a vertical axis of rotation 10;

FIG. 5 is a top view of an arrangement of four magazines on a turntable8, wherein the tools 5 on a tool disk 3 and the works 12 on work holders11 are shown.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the tool magazine of FIG. 3 showing the toolholders and the work holders being interchanged with one another.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in particular, The figures show only the fronttip of a working spindle 1. This working spindle 1 with horizontalspindle position can usually be displaced in a vertical rectangularframe in the vertical and/or horizontal direction (X and Y directions)by the work stroke A. In addition, the working spindle 1 is displaceablein its longitudinal direction (Z direction) for machining and also fordepositing the tools 5 on the tool holders 7.

The tool magazine 2, which comprises a plurality of usually circulartool disks 3 arranged in parallel one of top of another, is arrangedaccording to the present invention outside the area in which the works12 are normally machined. The turret-like tool magazine 2 has avertical, central axis of rotation 4. In the vertical spindle positionof the working spindle 1, which is not shown but also belongs to thepresent invention, this central axis of rotation 4 would be arrangedhorizontally. Each tool disk 3 has on its outer circumference aplurality of tool holders 7 for receiving the tools 5 or also the works12. As can be seen especially in FIG. 2, the tools 5 and tool axis 15are arranged on the tool disk 3 with their tool tips 6 pointing radiallyor approximately radially inward. Since the tool carriers and theconnection ends thereof usually have a larger diameter than the tooltip, considerably more tools 5 can be arranged on this tool disk 3 thanin the case of the arrangement of the tools in a tool turret, in whichthe tool tips point radially outwardly. For the tool change, the workingspindle 1 is first displaced according to the present invention in the Xand Y directions into the position located in front of the particulartool holder 7, after which it is moved in the Z direction between thetool disks 3 to above the tool holder 7 and is finally lowered by ashort stroke B into the fork-shaped tool holder 7. After thetool-clamping device has been loosened and the working spindle has beenwithdrawn, the tool magazine 2 is rotated around its axis of rotation 4to the extent that the working spindle 1 can grasp a new tool 5.

According to FIG. 3, work holders 11 with suitable work-mounting devicesare additionally arranged on the tool magazine 2 next to the tool disks3, so that the works 12 can be inserted radially from the outside andcan be also machined there directly by means of the tools 5 arranged onthe working spindle 1.

Each tool magazine 3 is mounted on a fastening means 13 via the axis ofrotation 4. These fastening means 13 may in turn be fastened to aswinging or rotating device 9 (see FIG. 4) or on a turntable 8, whereinthe turntable 8 and the swinging or rotating device 9 is mountedrotatably around the vertical axis of rotation 10 on a baseplate 14.

The figures always show only one working spindle 1. However, a pluralityof working spindles arranged in parallel to one another, whichpreferably machine one or more works at the same time and especiallyalso pick up their tools 5 from the tool holders 7 on different tooldisks 3 arranged one on top of another and deposit them to these tooldisks simultaneously, may also be present.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:
 1. A machining center, comprising: a working spindledisplaceable in more than one direction, said working spindle having aspindle axis; a tool magazine with storage places for depositing toolsby the working spindle, said circular tool magazine being rotatablearound a central axis and being associated with said working spindle,said tool magazine including a drum magazine with integrated tool disksarranged in parallel to one another, said tool disks being rotatableindividually or together around said central axis arranged at rightangles to said spindle axis; a plurality of tool holders connected toeach of said disks, each of said tool holders having a central axissubstantially parallel with said tool disks, and configured so thattools with a connection end for connecting to said spindle and a tip onan opposite end of said each tool may be pushed tip first into said toolholders from a radial outside to a radial inside of said tool magazinealong said central axis of said tool holders by said working spindle,said central axis of each said tool holders not intersecting saidcentral axis of rotation of said tool magazine.
 2. A machining center,comprising: a tool disk for storing tools, said tool disk beingrotatable about a central axis, each of the tools having a tool axis, aconnection end and a tip end, said tool disk having an outercircumference; a plurality of tool holders arranged on said outercircumference of said tool disk, each of said tool holders holding arespective tool with a respective tool axis substantially parallel witha plane defined by said tool disk, said tool axis being spaced from saidcentral axis of said tool magazine, said plurality of tool holders beingconfigured for holding said tools with their tip ends to have said toolsextend inward from said outer circumference of said tool disk; a workingspindle movable between a machining position and said tool disk, saidworking spindle engaging and disengaging with the tools at said tooldisk, said working spindle using the tools in said machining positionfor machining a workpiece, said working spindle having a spindle axisarranged substantially perpendicular to said central axis of said tooldisk.
 3. The machining center in accordance with claim 2, furthercomprising: a plurality of said tool disks arranged substantiallyparallel to each other, said plurality of disks being rotatable aboutsaid central axis and forming a tool magazine.
 4. The machining centerin accordance with claim 2, wherein: said tool axes and said centralaxis of said tool magazine are skewed with respect to each other.
 5. Amachining center in accordance with claim 2, wherein: said tool axis isarranged on said tool disk at a tool angle between a radial angle and atangential angle of said tool disk.
 6. A machining center in accordancewith claim 5, wherein: said tool angle is not equal to either one ofsaid tangential angle and said radial angle.
 7. A machining center inaccordance with claim 2, wherein: a subset of said plurality of toolsare positioned on said tool disk with each of said subset of toolsextending more than halfway across said disk.
 8. A machining center,comprising: a horizontally disposed working spindle displaceable in theX, Y and Z directions, said working spindle having a spindle axis; asubstantially circular tool magazine with storage places for depositingtools by the working spindle, said substantially circular tool magazinebeing rotatable around a central axis and being associated with saidworking spindle, said tool magazine including a drum magazine withintegrated tool disk or a plurality of tool disks arranged in parallelto one another, said tool disk or said plurality of tool disks beingrotatable individually or being rotatable together around said centralaxis arranged at right angles to said spindle axis; tool holdersconnected to said substantially circular tool magazine, each of saidtool holders having a central axis substantially parallel with said tooldisk; and tools with a connection end for connecting to said workingspindle and having a tip on an opposite end of said each tool, said toolholders being configured for receiving each of said tools pushed tipfirst into said tool holders from a radial outside to a radial inside ofsaid tool magazine along said central axis of said tool holders by saidworking spindle, said central axis of each said tool holders extendingpast said central axis of rotation of said tool magazine.
 9. The devicein accordance with claim 8, further comprising work holders arranged onsaid tool disk; said tool magazine having an outer circumference, saidplurality of tool holders holding said tools to have said tools extendradially inward from said outer circumference.
 10. The device inaccordance with claim 8, further comprising: another tool magazinearranged on a swinging or rotating device or on a turntable; each ofsaid tools having a tool axis extending from said connection end to saidtip said tool axis being arranged on said tool magazine at a tool anglebetween a radial angle and a tangential angle of said tool magazine,said tool angle being less than said radial angle and closer to saidradial angle than said tangential angle; a subset of said plurality oftools are positioned on said tool magazine with each of said subset oftools extending more than halfway across said magazine and beyond saidcental axis of said tool magazine, said tips of said subset of toolsbeing positioned adjacent said central axis; said working spindlerotating about said spindle axis, said each of said tools rotates withsaid spindle about a respective said tool axis when machining aworkpiece.
 11. The device in accordance with claim 9, furthercomprising: another tool magazine arranged together with said workholders on a swinging or rotating device or on a turntable.
 12. Thedevice in accordance with claim 9, wherein one of said tool holders andsaid work holders can be interchanged with one another.
 13. A machiningcenter in accordance with claim 2, wherein: a subset of said pluralityof tools are positioned on said tool disk with each of said subset oftools extending beyond said cental axis of said tool disk.
 14. Amachining center in accordance with claim 2, wherein: each of said toolshas a connection end for connecting to said spindle and having a tip onan opposite end of said each tool, said tool axis extending from saidconnection end to said tip, said tips of said tools being arrangedadjacent said central axis of said tool disk; said working spindlerotates about said spindle axis, said each of said tools rotates withsaid spindle about a respective said tool axis when machining theworkpiece.
 15. A machining center in accordance with claim 5, wherein:said tool angle is closer to said radial angle than said tangentialangle.
 16. The machining center in accordance with claim 1, furthercomprising a work holder arranged on at least one of said disks; saidtool disks having an outer circumference, said plurality of tool holdersholding said tools to have said tools extend inward from said outercircumference.
 17. The machining center in accordance with claim 11,further comprising a carrying element including one of a swingingdevice, a rotating device and a turntable wherein said tool magazine isarranged on said swinging device, on said rotating device or on saidturntable; each of said tools having a tool axis extending from saidconnection end to said tip, said tool axes being arranged on said toolmagazine at a tool ankle between a radial angle and a tangential angleof said tool magazine, said tool angle being less than said radial angleand closer to said radial angle than said tangential angle; a subset ofsaid plurality of tools are positioned on said tool magazine with eachof said subset of tools extending more than halfway across said magazineand beyond said cental axis of said tool magazine, said tips of saidsubset of tools being positioned adjacent said central axis of said toolmagazine; said working spindle rotating about said spindle axis, saideach of said tools rotates with said spindle about a respective saidtool axis when machining a workpiece.
 18. The machining center inaccordance with claim 16, wherein said tool magazine is arrangedtogether with said work holder on a swinging device, on a rotatingdevice or on a turntable.
 19. The machining center in accordance withclaim 16, wherein one of said tool holders and said work holder can beinterchanged with one another.